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6 things you should never do when renovating a kitchen

(BPT) - Whether you've heard it in the office, a classroom or a soccer field, that old saying about mistakes being valuable learning tools really rings true, doesn't it? If those mistakes occur during the course of a kitchen renovation, however, it may be difficult to be philosophical about them. Bungle a kitchen redesign, and you'll either have to live with the consequences for a long time or invest even more money to correct them.



It's better by far to avoid making a big mistake when renovating a kitchen. Here are six totally wrong moves that you should never make when improving the most-used room in your home:



1. Give up cabinets.



Maybe you long for a window over the kitchen sink. Perhaps replacing or upgrading all the cabinets in the kitchen will take too big a bite out of your budget. Or maybe you intend to become a minimalist and need storage space for only two plates, two mugs and two wine glasses. Whatever you think your "reason" is for reducing the number of cabinets in your kitchen - don't do it. Cabinet storage space is a top priority in any kitchen; it can help keep clutter off your countertops, and improve the room's appeal to potential buyers. Never give up cabinet space unless you have a ridiculous number of cabinets, in which case, see move No. 2 ....



2. Cover every inch of wall with cabinets.



The only thing worse than not enough cabinets is having too many. We've all seen kitchens where the cabinets visually overwhelm the space. Sometimes they're too large for the scale of the room. Other times there are just too many of them. Keep in mind the need for visual balance, and turn to online calculators to help you understand how much cabinetry is appropriate for your kitchen.



3. Cheap out on appliances.



New appliances can be a large part of your kitchen renovation budget, and the temptation to cut costs by buying cheaper quality products can be compelling. Yet kitchen appliances are among the most-used in any home. When you consider how often you'll use them, how much wear and tear they'll endure, and how great their impact is on the usability of the room, it makes sense to invest in the best appliances you can afford. What's more, if you choose cheaper models - or worse yet, keep old, inefficient appliances - you may miss out on the energy savings that new appliances can deliver.



4. Give up even a single ray of sunlight or breath of fresh air.



More than one kitchen renovator has chosen to solve the problem of too little cabinet space by covering up a window. Not a smart move, especially when you consider the value of natural light and fresh air in a kitchen. If you have no wall space to spare for windows, adding Energy Star-qualified no-leak fresh-air skylights, like those from Velux America, can solve the problem.



Modern skylights are as dependable as high quality vertical windows and they admit much more natural light. Solar powered fresh air skylights passively vent humidity and cooking fumes from the kitchen while bringing in light. Pair them with solar-powered designer blinds, and your skylights become not just more energy efficient, but more functional, since both are operated by a programmable remote control. As an added plus, solar powered skylights, blinds and installation costs are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements.



5. Pick materials that are too fragile for life in the kitchen.



Just as you never pick a partner or a vehicle based on their looks alone, choosing kitchen materials based on beauty is doomed to disappoint. For example, recycled glass countertops can chip, scratch or crack more easily than other options, and may not stand up to rigorous use. Limestone has a lovely, luminous look but is vulnerable to stains. Before you choose a material for its looks, find out its durability and weigh that against your tolerance for cleaning and repairs, as well as how brutal you're likely to be on the surfaces in your kitchen. And in that vein ....



6. Let looks trump practicality.



Choosing an overall design or materials that look great and are fashionable, but that aren't practical for your lifestyle, is a recipe for regrets. Whether it's buying a refrigerator that's too big for the scale of the room, or opting for a countertop color that's too unusual to be universally appealing, conceding practicality to appearance will make the kitchen harder to work in and harder to sell down the road.



A well-executed kitchen renovation can boost home value and improve your enjoyment of the kitchen, which is the heart of the home. With planning and care, it's possible to avoid the kind of renovation mistakes that no one wants to live with.

AUGUST 2016 MARKET UPDATE

August 2016

Included in this blog post is a link to my Real Estate Update Newsletter. Please click on the link below to get the latest Real Estate Update for August! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email my office. 

614-882-6725

delena@delena.com

http://realtytimes.com/213/DeLenaCiamacco

Tips for men to look and feel their best all summer long

(BPT) - Let's face it: summer is the season when everyone wants to look and feel their best. Warm weather and long days mean everyone's heading outdoors, hanging with friends and enjoying the best of the season. Even the guys are looking great - from relaxing at the beach, to putting down the golf greens, to walking the city sidewalks.



This summer men can look and feel perfect all day long with the following helpful tips. Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy experts Dr. Francesca Fusco, a leading dermatologist who specializes in scalp and hair care, and celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, share some helpful tips for men as they head into the summer season.



Protect the scalp: One area men often forget about protecting is the scalp and any and all outdoor activities call for a generous application of sunscreen. "It is important to think of the scalp as an extension of your face. The skin on your scalp is highly susceptible to UV rays," says Fusco. When spending time in the sun, especially between the peak hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Fusco recommends dispensing sunscreen on a cotton swab and dabbing it along the part and hairline. Prolonged sun exposure can cause damaging burns that lead to a dry and flaky scalp. Fusco says that guys' best bet is to "apply generously and often. If no sunscreen is around, wear a hat for foolproof protection."



Lather, rinse, repeat: When out and about in the summer,perspiration is highly likely. "It is important to shampoo after working up a sweat because inadequate scalp and hair hygiene can lead to buildup of oil," Fusco says. Reach for a shampoo that is packed with nourishing ingredients. "A clean, well-nourished scalp is a thriving scalp," Fusco says. CLEAR Men Scalp Therapy is enriched with Bio-Nutrium 10, a combination of natural ingredients including ginseng, tea tree and natural mint. It leaves hair feeling great, and has an amazing fragrance so men will be rushing to the shower.



The perfect style: Don't be afraid to switch up your look to reflect the easy-going nature of summer. One of the easiest ways is to change up your hair cut. "Many guys are nervous to try something new, but changing up your look is simple and can help to boost your confidence," says Atkin. "Most men go right for the clippers and buzz it all off when the weather gets hot." Not ready to take it all off? "Another great option is to go for a style with shorter sides but keep length up top. It is easy to maintain and will grow out nicely too." Complete the transformation with some new clothes to complement the new look.



Stay hydrated: When heading out for an early morning jog or any outdoor workout, don't forget to grab a bottle of water. Fusco recommends drinking at least two liters a day during the summer to replenish fluids lost by sweating. Your overall health, from your skin to how you perform in your sports game, will also benefit from the extra hydration. Opt for an insulated water bottle to keep water cool while out in the heat.



For more helpful tips and information visit www.facebook.com/clearmen.

Bring your house up to date

It's amazing how quickly our homes can start to look dated. Even if they were once the height of fashion, they can easily start to feel stuck in the past, and for many people it is enough to make them consider moving, unaware that it is simply the fact that things feel stale that is giving them such wanderlust.



There is plenty that can be done, easily and cheaply, to make a house feel more modern though. A change of paint is always a great way to start. Finding out the colors that are currently in vogue is a great way to instantly transform a room. On top that, interesting and modern artwork and contemporary knick knacks will also instantly bring a room up to date.



Home lighting is also a surprisingly date-specific kind of thing. Older light fittings will instantly date any room, and changing glaring halogens to more subtle accent lighting can instantly change the feel of a room without anything else being needed. Altering home lighting is also easy to research and cheap to achieve, making one of the perfect places to start if a house is starting to feel jaded. The more you can spend on lighting, the better.



Wooden floors are also a great way to stay modern. On top of this, utilizing a wooden floor gives you great scope to include under-floor heating, an investment that will almost certainly pay for itself in terms of how much money can be saved on energy bills. Under-floor heating also helps you remove what are usually unsightly radiators and give rooms more space - another way to make any room feel more modern.



If you can, make as much space as possible, knocking down walls to create more space if it is appropriate. Space and lighting combined will make even the dullest room feel fresh and new.



By: Allision Kraft

http://www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_7221.shtml

New siding can increase the value of your home

Tired of that old run down looking house you've been living in? Why not upgrade your home to a new look and increase the value of your home in the process. You can have the home of your dreams and it's not as hard as you think. Your old home may be run down and the paint may be thirty years old and peeling off, but you can have the best looking house in your neighborhood.



How? Just give it a new face lift with colorful and easy to maintain vinyl siding. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of colors and you can choose the one that's right for you. Your 100 year old house can look new again and the cost won't burn a hole in your pocket.



Vinyl siding can be applied over brick structures and it can also be applied over wood and concrete structures. Vinyl siding looks great and its insulation qualities wrap the entire home in warmth and comfort. The entire project will be completed in a short amount of time if done by a reputable contractor of your choosing.



You can have your old home looking brand new and bright and shiny with new siding. Your entire home will match with the same bold colors you select and your window and door trim will match also. The value of your old home will sky rocket and if you ever decide to sell your home, you'll receive higher offers for it.



You may be wondering why you'll want to put up new vinyl siding as compared to aluminum siding. There are a lot of good reasons to choose vinyl, but the final decision is yours. There are a lot of differences between aluminum siding and vinyl. Vinyl siding is manufactured from a continuous formed plastic material and usually has a thickness between .040 to.046 inches. Aluminum siding is a continuous formed material that is usually around .019 inches thick.



Vinyl siding is manufactured with a solid color, while aluminum siding is manufactured with a baked on enamel paint finish. Since vinyl siding has a manufactured solid color, the color will remain solid even when scratched.



Not so however with aluminum siding. The paint is baked on so if aluminum siding is scratched; the paint peels off and leaves a shiny bare metal finish exposed. The choice is yours; however, your home will look newer and have a higher value when it is finished. You'll love the added warmth and comfort that your new siding will bring you.



Your neighbors won't believe the big difference they'll see in your home and you'll have a hard time believing that is the same house yourself. Energy efficient, stylish and modern, your new siding will give your home that personal touch and feel it had when you first purchased it. You have everything to gain with new siding and the new look it gives your home and property is amazing.

Selling or staying put, 'daylighting' improvements pay off for homeowners

(BPT) - If your home will be on the

"Daylighting" improvements that boost your home's brightness and energy efficiency offer substantial return on investment for both home sellers and those who will be staying in their homes for the foreseeable future.



Bringing the daylighting concept home



Industrial and office designers have long used daylighting - the concept of illuminating interior spaces with natural light from above - to improve energy efficiency, healthfulness and functionality of rooms. The slower housing market and sluggish economy have raised homeowner interest in the concept.



"Daylighting improvements not only elevate a home's visual appeal for potential buyers, they can enhance homeowners' enjoyment of their living space, and reduce energy costs," says Ross Vandermark, product manager with an international skylight manufacturer.



Homeowners who want to apply the principles of daylighting to their home have many options: They can add windows or roof windows or install any number of types of traditional skylights or Sun Tunnel tubular skylights.



The easiest daylighting upgrade



While adding a window in the wall of your home may raise practical and design issues, adding a roof window or skylight can be much easier. Roofs are, for the most part, a blank slate, allowing you to install skylights wherever they are needed most. And daylighting from above doesn't just add functionality; it offers room-changing drama and decorating flair.



Roof windows are hinged, venting units designed to be installed in easily accessible areas, such as the angled walls in attic bonus rooms, and are operated by hand. A double-sash roof window is available that opens from both bottom and top to form a balcony on your roof. These units are often used in place of, or to replace, dormers.



Skylights are usually positioned higher on the ceiling, out of reach. Venting models can be opened or closed manually with a control rod or by remote control.



Skylights are popular with daylighting designers for several reasons. First, they easily fulfill the primary goal of daylighting by admitting more natural light into a room than similar sized vertical windows - thereby reducing the need for energy to power artificial lights. But they also work to enhance the healthfulness of a home.



If you opt to install a manual or electric venting skylight, it can be a natural, low-energy way to vent humidity, fumes and stale air from your home. Electric venting models open and close by remote control and have rain sensors to close them automatically.



Energy efficiency, high-tech and decorating in one package



Another important similarity among windows, roof windows and skylights is in the glazing, or how the glass is manufactured. Since the units are mounted facing directly at the sun, skylight glazing technology has to be among the best in the industry. Qualified units feature double-pane, gas-filled construction to control heat gain or loss, and filter the sun's fade-causing rays.



Independent research done in Denmark shows that skylights admit 30 percent more light than vertical windows in dormers, and provide the drama of a sky view that can't be achieved with vertical windows.



In addition to high-tech features such as remote control and automatic rain sensors, skylight blinds are available in a varied palette of colors and patterns. Homeowners can utilize blinds as another decorating option while achieving as much as a 37 percent increase in energy efficiency, according to Vandermark.



He recommends closing the blinds on high heat/sun days in the summer to reduce potential solar heat gain and, on cold winter nights, to provide an extra layer of thermal insulation to keep warm air indoors.



Skylights also address important health considerations. One in five Americans suffers varying degrees of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a condition in which the symptoms can include depression and fatigue due to lack of sufficient daylight. Skylights can help by admitting abundant daylight while visually expanding rooms in any style or size home.



Modern, low-profile skylights are unobtrusive and as dependable as vertical windows. Information about units with a 10-year, no-leak installation warranty, plus an installer locator, is available at veluxusa.com. There's also a free mobile phone app available to help homeowners see how skylights and blinds would look in rooms in their own homes.



For government information on window and skylight energy efficiency, visit energystar.gov, and for independent agency information, visit nfrc.org or efficientwindows.org. For remodeling information visit nahb.org/remodel or greenhomeguide.org.